Man who stopped to help killed in multi-car crash on Rt. 55

ELK TWP., N.J. -- A man who'd stopped to help a stranded motorist was killed when both men were hit by a southbound car on Route 55 near Milepost 45 here Tuesday night.

Ramon Nuniz Jr., 21, of Vineland, was standing behind his disabled vehicle on the shoulder of the highway when Cesar Ruiz, 26, of Camden, stopped to help him, according to the New Jersey State Police.

Both men were standing behind the disabled car when the driver of a 2007 Honda Civic lost control of the car, said police. The Honda hit Nuniz and Ruiz and both stopped vehicles, police said.The crash happened at about 8:30 p.m.

Nuniz received only minor injuries, but Ruiz was pronounced dead at the scene, state police said.

It's unclear if the driver of the Honda, John Panco Jr., 54, of Vineland, was injured.